VP for RD Newton to retire

Secured funding for numerous MIT projects

MIT Vice President for Resource Development Jeffrey L. Newton has decided to retire after seven years in the role, president L. Rafael Reif announced in an email to the MIT community yesterday morning. Newton will continue to serve in an advisory role through January 2014. Kirk Kolenbrander, Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation, will “oversee the day-to-day management and strategic direction of our fundraising operations” while MIT searches for a Newton’s successor.

Newton has been instrumental in securing funding for a number of projects over the past seven years, according to the MIT News Office. The funds raised have supported the construction of the Media Lab’s E14, the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, the Sloan building E62, and the David H. Koch Childcare Center (TCC Vassar), as well as the ongoing renovations of Building 2 and Building E52.

Newton also “spearheaded the Campaign for Students,” raising $780 million to “support student life and learning at MIT,” the MIT News Office wrote. The campaign led to the creation of the undergraduate dorm Maseeh Hall, which opened in August 2011.

In addition to the on-campus projects, Newton launched the Office of Global Initiatives, which primarily manages relationships with “individuals living outside of the United States capable of making gifts $5M+ to MIT,” according to the OGI site.

Prior to joining MIT in 2007, Newton served as Harvard Medical School’s dean for resource development and alumni relations. Previously, he was also associate director for foundation and corporate relations at Johns Hopkins University from 1989 to 1993, after which he served in various resource development roles at the University of Miami.

In his email, Reif encouraged the community to help in the search for the next VP for Resource Development by email (rdvpsearch@mit.edu) or by letter (Room 3-208).